Apparatus for processing strand material

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for forming, drawing and winding synthetic yarn materials wherein tension on the yarn during passage from the drawing to the winding means is controlled by a compensator device additionally effective to actuate aspirator means and yarn severing means should a yarn break occur, thereby eliminating an excessive build-up of yarn on the drawing means and resultant yarn waste, the apparatus desirably further embodying a plurality of drawing means particularly positioned with respect to one another and providing a generally upwardly directed path for the yarn through specific stages of the drawing cycle.

United States Patent Ditzler [451 Oct. 3, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING STRAND MATERIAL [72] Inventor: John W. Ditzler, Warwick, RI.

[73] Assignee: Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R].

[22] Filed: Sept. 8, 1970 [21] App]. No.: 70,334

[52] US. Cl. ..28/71.4 [51] Int. Cl. ..D02j U222 [58] Field of Search ..28/7l.3, 71.4

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,604,659 9/1971 Jaeggli et a1. ..28/71.3 2,990,603 7/ 1961 Keith ..28/71.3 3,294,305 12/1966 Schimpf ..28/7l.3 UX 3,392,894 7/1968 Standefer ..28/71.3 UX 3,594,880 7/1971 Dibble ..28/71.3 UX

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 2,006,791 1/ 1970 France ..28/7 1 .3

3/1966 GreatBritain ..28/7l.3 2/1953 Switzerland.., ..28/7l.4

Primary ExaminerRobert R. Mackey Attorney-Albert P. Davis, Burnett W. Norton and William J. Daniel ABSTRACT An apparatus for forming, drawing and winding synthetic yarn materials wherein tension on the yarn during passage from the drawing to the winding means is controlled by a compensator device additionally effective to actuate aspirator means and yarn severing means should a yarn break occur, thereby eliminating an excessive build-up of yarn on the drawing means and resultant yarn waste, the apparatus desirably further embodying a plurality of drawing means particularly positioned with respect to one another and providing a generally upwardly directed path for the yarn through specific stages of the drawing cycle.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures INVENTOR JOHN W.DITZLER WEE/MT,

SHEET 2 OF 2 PATENTEDum m2 ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING S MATERIAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION One problem which has long existed in the drawing of synthetic yarn materials, particularly at relatively high speeds exemplified by draw speeds exceeding 3,000 yards per minute, is the general unavailability of a relatively simple, rapidly acting and reliable system for detecting yarn breaks. As is known, should a yarn break occur the yarn continues to wind upon the godet rolls, and such wraps are difficult to remove, and if the wraps reach excessive proportions, eventually the machine may be damaged, and as well, could create a condition potentially hazardous to the operator. This is of particular importance in a high speed drawing operation, since it is not unusual for one operator to be assigned to as many as 48 drawing positions, watching for breaks. Even in the case of an extremely skilled operator, it may require several minutes for him to detect a yarn break, resulting in a considerable waste of relatively expensive yarn and possibly leading to the difficult and dangerous conditions mentioned.

In known arrangements even though the banks of heated godet rolls were vertically staggered, the conventional approach has been to have the uppermost bank located backwardly or rearwardly with respect to the intermediate bank and even father backwardly or rearwardly, with respect to the lowermost bank. This has the disadvantage that such a positioning of the lowermost bank, which is relatively close in a vertical direction with respect to the take-up roll, renders removal of the take-up package quite diff cult when it has been filled. In addition, during thread-up it is cumbersome to reach the uppermost godet rolls. The takeup package is generally relatively heavy, weighing in the neighborhood of 40 to 60 pounds, and the earlier positioning of the banks of godet rolls has rendered it quite awkward for the operator to remove the take-up The present invention is particularly directed to a structural arrangement for processing synthetic yarn materials, and to a method of operating the structure, in which a plurality of banks of godet rolls are disposed in upwardly and outwardly relation when viewed in side elevation, the structural arrangement incorporating a pivotally mounted compensator arm slidably receiving the yarn during its passage to the take-up roll, the compensator arm being also effective in the event of a yarn break to actuate electrical and pneumatic circuitry in control of aspirator means and yarn severing means upstream of the compensator arm, whereby yarn build-up to an excessive degree is avoided and yarn wastage is prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, with portions broken away, illustrating an exemplary form of yarn processing apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the godet rolls of FIG. 1 and showing a preferred path of yarn travel thereabout;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, and showing another manner of travel of the yarn about the heated godet rolls;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative combined electrical and pneumatic system utilized in operation of the yarn processing apparatus of this invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view taken substantially along the line V- V of FIG. 1 to more fully illustrate the yarn severing means.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1 thereof, yarn processing apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention is designated generally therein by the legend A. The apparatus includes a frame 10 which supports a plurality of heated godet rolls 12, l4, l6, 18, 20 and 22, three banks of which are shown and designated generally by the legends .B-l, B2 and B-3. Obviously, the number of banks of godet rolls may be varied, as well as the number of godet rolls employed in apparatus of the character designated at A.

All of the godet rolls are of essentially identical construction, and comprise sleeve members 24 secured in a manner known to the art to rotatable shaft means 26 driven by motor means M (FIGS. 2 and 3).

The frame 10 also supports a take-up or wind-up roll 28 in a location spaced from the lowermost bank B-3 of godet rolls. As is known, the take-up roll 28 is comprised of a shaft 30 rotatively driven in any suitable manner and having secured thereto a sleeve member 32 on which a package P of yarn Y is formed.

The yarn processing apparatus of this invention further includes a spinneret S from which issues synthetic filaments F which contact guide means 34 generally where the filaments are formed into a yarn Y prior to passing in contact with an applicator roll 36 and guide means 38. The emulsion applicator structure is well known to the art, and further includes a supply tank 40 for containing emulsion or coating material.

While the details thereof will be more fully described, there is also provided by this invention a pair of spaced cutters 0-1 and C-2 intermediate which is aspirator means 42 of generally tubular shape and which is provided at one end with a slot or passage 44, the aspirator being a source of vacuum and actuated under control of the circuitry of FIG. 4, later to be described.

The structural arrangement identified by the legend A further embodies tension compensator means 46 preferably taking the form of an elongated arm 48 pivotally connected as at 50 to a support member 52 and carrying at its opposite end a yarn receiving portion 54 which, in the manner known to the art, is suitably slotted or grooved so that the yarn can pass partially thereabout as shown.

Associated with the take-up roll 28 and preferably also mounted by the frame 10 is a take-up traverse device 56 which generally includes a suitable housing or the like 58 and a traversing bar or rod 60 extending therefrom and caused to move across substantially the entire width of the take-up roll 28 to form a uniformly wrapped package P. The housing 58 of the traverse device 56 may also support a bail 62, as well as guide means 64, as is also well known.

Each of the yarn severing means or cutters C-1 and C-2 is of essentially identical construction, and the description thereof will accordingly be directed to cutter C-l shown in FIG. 5. The cutter C-l includes a blade member 74 fixedly secured as at 68 to flange means 70 attached by fastening means 72 to frame of the apparatus A. Cooperating with the fixed blade member 74 is a movable blade member 66 swingably carried as at 76 by the support means 70 and caused to move from an active to an inactive position, and reverse, by piston means 78 to which it is attached as at 80, the piston means being slidable within a double-acting cylinder 81, to which further reference will now be made in connection with a description of the electrical and pneumatic circuitry of FIG. 4.

The operation of the apparatus A of this invention is as follows. In the event that a yarn break should occur, the compensator arm pivots downwardly and actuates switches 82 and 84 (the latter being shown only in FIG. 4) mounted on bracket means 86 attached to support means 52 connected to the frame 10. Closing of the switch 82 energizes a solenoid valve 88 to supply pilot air through line 90 to a three-way normally closed air piloted valve 92 which places the aspirator 42 in operation, and to a needle valve 94 which controls the air pressure build-up in accumulator 96.

The accumulator 96 is connected through line 98 to a three-way normally closed air piloted valve 100 which supplies air pressure to the front end of cutter cylinder 102 which is in control of cutter means C-2. When the accumulator 96 builds up sufficient pressure, it opens valve 100, supplying pressure to the forward end of the cylinder 102 through line 104 and supplying pressure through line 106 to a three-way normally open air piloted valve 108, causing it to close, thereby shutting off its constant flow of air to the rear of cylinder 102. Cylinder rod 110 is then retracted to actuate the cutter blade and sever the yarn. The free end of yarn Y is then drawn into the aspirator 42 at the rate at which it is produced.

Switch 84, which closes simultaneously with switch 82, causes actuation of the relay 1R. Actuation of this relay causes normally closed contact 1R1 to open, cutting the power supply to the godet roll motors M and also causing contact 1R2 to close, supplying braking power. Upon actuation of relay 1R, normally closed heater control contact 1R3 opens and a preset heater control contact 1R4 closes, reducing the temperature of the godet rolls l2, 14, 16, 18, and 22. Also, when relay IR is actuated, it closes normally open contact 1R5, which in turn operates an appropriate alarm system, which may be visual or audible, indicating that a break has occurred and calling upon the operator to correct the situation.

Once the godet rolls are stopped, the heat reduced, and the lower cutter C-2 and the aspirator 42 have been actuated, the operator will correct the difficulty and begin threading the machine to resume winding. The normally closed contacts of a manually operated switch 112 are then opened to prevent energizing the circuit by lifting the compensator arm during threadup. The yarn is then picked up and held with a hand aspirator (not shown) and a push button valve 114 is restoring power to the motors M and heaters H to resume winding.

In accordance with another aspect of this invention and referring now also to FIG. 2 of the drawings, it can be seen that the banks B-l, B-2 and B-3 are staggered or stepped with respect to one another, that is, the uppermost bank B-l is located outwardly or forwardly with respect to bank B-2, which in turn is located outwardly or forwardly relative to bank B-3. This has a number of advantages, one of which is that when the take-up roll 28 is loaded and a full package P wound thereon, it is relatively easy for the machine operator to remove the take-up roll since itis much more accessible in comparison to the roll arrangement of FIG. 3 in which the godet rolls can be considered to be inwardly staggered from bottom to top. Thus, in the arrangement of FIG. 3, roll 118 is located further outwardly with respect to roll 120, and the latter extends further outwardly relative to the uppermost roll 122. It is apparent from FIG. 3 that since godet roll 118 is in an outward position, it would be physically rather difficult for the operator to remove the take-up roll after it has been fully wound.

The stepping or staggering of the rolls in the manner of FIG. 2 also permits ready access to the godet rolls should any repairs or other changes be found necessary thereto. Further, threading up with the portable aspirator is facilitated. Also, as is indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2, the yarn Y after passage about the lowermost bank B-3 of godet rolls proceeds upwardly about the godet rolls of bank B-2 and after passage about the godet rolls of the uppermost bank 3-], travels downwardly and ultimately is wrapped about the takeup roll 28. This upward path of travel from the lowermost bank to the uppermost bank of godet rolls permits more even wraps as the yarn moves from back to front of the pairs of godet rolls. A much more uniform package is thereby obtained on the take-up roll. Yarn entanglements are avoided, and the possibility of breaking the yarn or some of the individual filaments contained in the yarn is markedly reduced. Additionally, by the roll arrangement of FIG. 2, the emulsion tank 36 can be positioned in a much more workable location and provides a longer span or path of travel for the yarn from the emulsion roller to the first set of godet rolls, thereby assuring proper yarn cooling. The same situation prevails with respect to the path of travel of the yarn from the uppermost set of godet rolls to the take-up roll.

Various changes and modifications have been discussed herein, and these and others can of course be effected without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for processing an advancing strand comprising, means for advancing said strand along a path from a source of supply, means for collecting the advancing strand, a plurality of pairs of generally vertically spaced and generally horizontally oriented rolls positioned in a zone in said strand path intermediate said supply source and said collecting means for drawing the strand during its advance along said path, said rolls having free ends, the free ends of each succeeding pair of rolls from a lowermost set to-an uppermost set thereof being spaced progressively outwardly relative to the next lowest set, the path of advance of said strand in said zone being upwardly from said lowermost set of rolls to said uppermost set of rolls, means for driving said rolls, movable compensator means located in said strand path intermediate said uppermost set of rolls and said take-up means, said compensator means being engageable with said strand and movable in an operative zone in response to tension variations in the strand to maintain substantially constant tension in the strand during its advance from said uppermost set of rolls to said take-up means, said compensator means being movable to an inactive position upon interruption of the advancing strand, means for severing said strand disposed upstream of said rolls, aspirator means for collecting the resultant severed strand advancing from said source; and control means operable in response to the movement of said compensator means to said inactive position to substantially simultaneously inactivate said roll driving means, operate said severing means to sever said strand and activate said aspirator means to collect the resultant severed strand.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said compensator means is positioned closer to said take-up means than to said uppermost set of rolls.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including second severing means disposed upstream of said first mentioned severing means and said aspirator for severing the strand and thereby releasing said strand from said aspirator.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lowermost set of rolls is offset from vertical alignment with said uppermost set of rolls.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means for said rolls is electrical drive means, and said control means is operable to supply electric power to brake said electrical drive means when said compensator means moves to said inactive position.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for heating said rolls.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said control means is operable to activate said roll heating means, and inactivate said severing means and said aspirator means when said compensator means moves to said operative zone.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said compensator means is positioned closer to said take-up means than to said uppennost set of rolls, second severing means is provided upstream of said first mentioned severing means and said aspirator for severing said strand and thereby releasing the strand from said aspirator, said drive rolls are driven by electrical drive means, means are provided for heating said rolls; and said control means includes switching means in circuit with said roll heating means, electrical drive means, aspirator means and first mentioned severing means to substantially simultaneously inactivate the roll heating means and electric drive means and activate the aspirator means and first mentioned severing means when said compensator all]! rn ove s to sai d inactive position. 

1. Apparatus for processing an advancing strand comprising, means for advancing said strand along a path from a source of supply, means for collecting the advancing strand, a plurality of pairs of generally vertically spaced and generally horizontally oriented rolls positioned in a zone in said strand path intermediate said supply source and said collecting means for drawing the strand during its advance along said path, said rolls having free ends, the free ends of each succeeding pair of rolls from a lowermost set to an uppermost set thereof being spaced progressively outwardly relative to the next lowest set, the path of advance of said strand in said zone being upwardly from said lowermost set of rolls to said uppermost set of rolls, means for driving said rolls, movable compensator means located in said strand path intermediate said uppermost set of rolls and said take-up means, said compensator means being engageable with said strand and movable in an operative zone in response to tension variations in the strand to maintain substantially constant tension in the strand during its advance from said uppermost set of rolls to said take-up means, said compensator means being movable to an inactive position upon interruption of the advancing strand, means for severing said strand disposed upstream of said rolls, aspirator means for collecting the resultant severed strand advancing from said source; and control means operable in response to the movement of said compensator means to said inactive position to substantially simultaneously inactivate said roll driving means, operate said severing means to sever said strand and activate said aspirator means to collect the resultant severed strand.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said compensator means is positioned closer to said take-up means than to said uppermost set of rolls.
 3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including second severing means disposed upstream of said first mentioned Severing means and said aspirator for severing the strand and thereby releasing said strand from said aspirator.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lowermost set of rolls is offset from vertical alignment with said uppermost set of rolls.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means for said rolls is electrical drive means, and said control means is operable to supply electric power to brake said electrical drive means when said compensator means moves to said inactive position.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means for heating said rolls.
 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said control means is operable to activate said roll heating means, and inactivate said severing means and said aspirator means when said compensator means moves to said operative zone.
 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said compensator means is positioned closer to said take-up means than to said uppermost set of rolls, second severing means is provided upstream of said first mentioned severing means and said aspirator for severing said strand and thereby releasing the strand from said aspirator, said drive rolls are driven by electrical drive means, means are provided for heating said rolls; and said control means includes switching means in circuit with said roll heating means, electrical drive means, aspirator means and first mentioned severing means to substantially simultaneously inactivate the roll heating means and electric drive means and activate the aspirator means and first mentioned severing means when said compensator arm moves to said inactive position. 